Mary Taylor, left, and Cat Ford-Coates of Blue Kudzu Sake in their brewery and tasting room in the River Arts District. The crew leads sake tastings at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

HOMEBREW CLASS: Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Hops & Vines, 797 Haywood Road, Asheville. All-grain advanced class. For those already extract brewing and interested in learning how to brew from grains only. This process will improve the quality of your beer and give you complete control over your brew. $50. Includes bottling class two weeks following the class date from 11 a.m.-noon. You keep a six pack of the beer we brew. 252-5275.

HOMEBREW NIGHT: March 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Hops & Vines. Brewers: bring in a few bottles of your beer, mead, or cider to share. Homebrew is not required to attend, just an interest and an open mind. 252-5275.

Chocolate

THE CHOCOLATE SOIREE: March 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Children's Museum of the Upstate, 300 College St, Greenville, S.C. Hundreds of local businesses and community leaders lend their support to this evening of cocktails, dancing, live auction, musical entertainment and chocolate. Tickets start at $125. 864-233-7755 or www.tcmupstate.org.

"TASTY, HEALTHY & SIMPLE" CLASS: March 13, 6:30-8 p.m., BLVD Health Educational Center, 5587 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher. Are you struggling to eat healthy? Do you find healthy recipes to be difficult or distasteful? Held every second Thursday. 215-0611.

MICROWAVING: March 14, noon, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, 100 Jackson Park, Hendersonville. Do you find yourself using your microwave just to heat water or warm up last night?s leftovers? Learn how you can prepare meals using your microwave to save time, energy, and nutrients. $5. Registration required. www.henderson.ces.ncsu.edu.

RIEDEL GLASS PRESENTATION AND TASTING: Feb. 26, 6:30-8 p.m., Metro Wines. There is a big difference in glassware and how much better your wine experience will be with the correct glass. Taste wine from Riedel's champagne flutes, syrah, cabernet, and chardonnay glasses. $15 by Feb. 25, $20 at the door. To pay and RSVP call 575-9525.

WINE CLASS & TASTING: Feb. 26, 7-8 p.m., Metro Wines. Learn difference between Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux and just what is a White Bordeaux? Wines served in Riedel glasses. $15. Last Wednesday of each month. 273-5348 or 575-9525.